Interesting for the composition, colours, and 'completeness of story' (good to see an observant belayer, and a bit of the upcoming climb for the leader), but what really would have made a difference for me as a passive onlooker, would have been more commitment/action by the leader, and the high clipped draw detracts massively from that.

Is there some other kind of cross-over thing happening here, with a sport climber wearing a beanie? ;-)

Regarding the draw clipped totally agree. However you “are tempted to” clip the draw before the cross over move which is pretty cool IMO (the move I mean).

Bit of a story about the photo: Last climb of the day, last minute setup, after sunset, so the ISO is up the roof, was pretty dark underneath that overhang! Got a few shots but that one stood out for me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicklebaut/8712562043/

if you want to see higher resolution, definitely not the sharpest image and super noisy as mentioned above.

What is it with this thing about the draw clipped taking away from the photo?
It looks perfectly logical to me to have the draw clipped. I'd have certainly
pulled up on that hold on the left, clipped the bolt, then dropped down again
to cross the scoop. The next holds head away from the bolt - where else
would you clip from? The only reason you'd not have the bolt clipped for this
move would be to pose for a photo showing a runout which would be dumb
and contrived, given these's a bolt there. Having gear is an integral part of
climbing. I think it's just a wank to say showing gear somehow detracts from
the photo. Otherwise, just go and take photos of people soloing.

@ Wendy's comment;What is it with this thing about the draw clipped taking away from the photo?
It looks perfectly logical to me to have the draw clipped. I'd have certainly
pulled up on that hold on the left, clipped the bolt, then dropped down again
to cross the scoop. The next holds head away from the bolt - where else
would you clip from? The only reason you'd not have the bolt clipped for this
move would be to pose for a photo showing a runout which would be dumb
and contrived, given these's a bolt there. Having gear is an integral part of
climbing. I think it's just a wank to say showing gear somehow detracts from
the photo. Otherwise, just go and take photos of people soloing.

Do you not think it would be a better photo if it had been taken while the climber was in the act of clipping that draw?
;-)

Yes, your comment is logical; like the climbing sequence; but if I was a non-climbing judge in a photo competition, 'drama' is an engaging component in a good photograph, and the clipped draw subtracts from that for me.

By the way, I also hold this view for the 'hidden behind climber but clipped at waist', draws, that are 'logical' in some other photographs that appear here! ... However, if a photograph (eg think many of Onsights excellent pics), show a runout (that need not be bold) and act of clipping, then that more accurately portrays what the climbing involved, for both those who climb, and those who don't.
~> The lead up to that draw would have provided that element, but as it stands, it is a photo of a climber seemingly-resting*, perhaps more so from a non-climbers perspective...
☺

(*Though cool-as for the move & location, despite all the above critique!).

Meh, I hate committing to numbers ... I've been on the route, it's actually
steep by County standards, so expect he's still pumped with some tricky
moves to come, so i don't know that it lacks drama. And the cross through is
quite cool. Clipping the bolt may well have been a boring face on position
and you'd have most got the back of his beanie in the shot. I think the shot's
actually pretty good - i'd be happy with it if i'd either taken it or was starring
in it. If I was to suggest anything that might actually improve it would be if the
photo was taken from a little further out, showing a little more of the route, but
we don't all have simon carter's big prop thing to take photos from. And even
then, you might end up losing some of the perspective on the climber, so
really, it's probably just fine as is!

I think its a great shot - colours look amazing and makes me want to climb the route.

Re: the clipping, i looked at it and thought - i know why he clipped first so agree with wendy on that one. The other issue is most peaople clip quickly and therefore with lots of movement, given how dark it was it would have been nigh on impossible to capture a sharp image with any movement from the climber.

big g said "Re: the clipping, i looked at it and thought - i know why he clipped first so agree with wendy on that one. The other issue is most peaople clip quickly and therefore with lots of movement, given how dark it was it would have been nigh on impossible to capture a sharp image with any movement from the climber."

i look at it and think it makes sense to clip before moving off in anew direction, but think it stiil spoils the picture like being a still life shot. does every pic need be sharp all over? if rock and climber is sharp but moving hand or arm is blur when cliping would still be ok for me, as i agree with the drama comment further above.

re "- coloours look amazing and makes me want to climb the route."

colour of rock although pretty is not really a photog achievement but kind of makes me want to see it in real life even though the climb looks to hard for me, but would be nice to see it being climbed.

actually capturing the colour fo the rock IS a photographic achievement. Nick has chosen the ISO, the shutter speed, the aperture, the positipon, the composition - this all goes into capturing the image.

In the interest of keeping a bit harmony in the climbing community, I am
submitting these extra two photos (unreleased!):

The first one might give to some a perception of movement by Chris
clipping the bolt (although personally I found the crossover move quite
dynamic), and possibly more "boldiness" as he might not clip it and fall
with all the rope out! (epic scenario).

The second one is a for the ones who don't want the bolt there. So I've
chopped it! Now we are all sweating as the last bolt is 4 meters below,
he might deck and die in the event of a fall, but if he makes it through
the crimpy section (kinda the crux as far as I remember when climbing
it), Chris will be a bold hero! We can all feel good coz he actually
flashed it.

Seriously, always great to get feedbacks, loving the passionate
discussions about my photos! Keep it going wether you like it or hate it!